Leeds introduces new blended learning degree in midwifery

We are excited to announce that the School of Healthcare will be one of just four UK institutions to offer a new blended learning degree in midwifery in partnership with Health Education England (HEE).

We will provide an extended footprint for physical care and birthing educational resources, and virtual and digital resources with remote access to students, managing physical space restrictions.

DR ANGELA GRAVES, DIRECTOR OF PRACTICE AND LEAD MIDWIFE FOR EDUCATION

Part of the University’s commitment to producing the very best midwives, both now and in the future, this innovative midwifery programme will start from September 2021.

The aim of this flexible new approach is to open up midwifery as a career to a wider range of people, making the profession more accessible, allowing students to balance the course with other commitments, and diversifying the next generation of midwives entering the workforce.

A new approach to learning

Focusing on a highly flexible approach, students will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in midwifery after three years training, depending on their chosen pathway.

The trainee midwives will have access to the current and emerging innovative technologies available at Leeds which are becoming increasingly relevant in modern healthcare such as simulation, and augmented and virtual reality while still gaining important practice experience, spending up to 50 percent of their training time in practice settings, on campus and in hospitals.

Dr Angela Graves, Director of Practice and Lead Midwife for Education, said: “We are expanding our physical and digital capabilities through targeted investment insimulation based education (SBE) and digital technologies that hold the potential for fully interactive and integrated programmes, where students can be immersed in their learning whilst developing digital capability.

“Investment in clinical skills equipment enables training for effective decision-making and skills development in a safe environment, with the ability to blend this with recording and use of digital technologies, yielding greater access opportunities and immersion in learning for students.

“We will provide an extended footprint for physical care and birthing educational resources, and virtual and digital resources with remote access to students, managing physical space restrictions, as well as aligning to the Health Education England national vision for the role of simulation and immersive learning technologies in health and care (HEE 2020).

“The investment will also future-proof the delivery of midwifery education in readiness for simulated practise experiences, aligned with current educational practise. Simulation equipment provides value for money as it can adapt to multiple areas of skills development for our future healthcare workforce, including nursing education programmes.”